The Angels can thank rarely-used Reggie Willits for that, the speedy outfielder capping a two-run ninth against A's closer Huston Street by scoring from second base on Erick Aybar's infield single with two out in the ninth for the difference in a 4-3 victory.

Willie Mays Hayes it wasn't, but Willits never hesitated as he rounded second base, scoring only because Oakland first baseman Daric Barton double-pumped before finally throwing home.

"I just went to throw, I see (Suzuki) looking up the (third base) line," Barton explained. "First thing that comes to your head, if somebody's looking up the line, you don't throw it. If I had thrown it the first time we'd have had him."

Making third base coach Dino Ebel's decision to wave Willits that much more gutsy. However, Ebel's swinging right arm may not have mattered.

"He waved me, I'm pretty sure," Willits said. "To be honest, I got a good jump and was running pretty hard. Dino did a good job of recognizing it and it reinforced what I was already thinking."

It changed the game, the Angels rallying for two runs in the ninth against A's closer Huston Street. And, it changed the standings. Instead of being four games up (with a loss), the Angels are now six games up.

"I think it's good when you finish up like that," Torii Hunter said. "We're able to go home and think positive all the time. To go home on a positive note, to be six games up, you've got to be happy. But it's far from over."

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